Baylor's ground game catches up to vaunted passing attack

Updated 2:50 am, Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Photo: LM Otero, Associated Press

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Running back Glasco Martin is one reason Baylor is one of four teams in the top 20 in four big offensive categories. Click through to see more photos of Baylor’s “Thunder and Lightning” running backs, Martin and Lache Seastrunk, in action this season.

Lache Seastrunk #25 of the Baylor Bears runs the ball past Arthur Brown #4 of the Kansas State Wildcats at Floyd Casey Stadium on Nov. 17, 2012 in Waco.

Lache Seastrunk #25 of the Baylor Bears runs the ball past Arthur Brown #4 of the Kansas State Wildcats at Floyd Casey Stadium on Nov. 17, 2012 in Waco.

Photo: Ronald Martinez, Getty Images

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Baylor running back Glasco Martin (8) scores a touchdown over teammate offensive linesman Troy Baker (75) as Kansas State linebacker Arthur Brown (4) watches during the first half of an NCAA college football game Nov. 17, 2012, in Waco.

Baylor running back Glasco Martin (8) scores a touchdown over teammate offensive linesman Troy Baker (75) as Kansas State linebacker Arthur Brown (4) watches during the first half of an NCAA college football

Lache Seastrunk #25 of the Baylor Bears runs the ball past Jarard Milo #23 of the Kansas State Wildcats at Floyd Casey Stadium on Nov. 17, 2012, in Waco.

Lache Seastrunk #25 of the Baylor Bears runs the ball past Jarard Milo #23 of the Kansas State Wildcats at Floyd Casey Stadium on Nov. 17, 2012, in Waco.

Photo: Ronald Martinez, Getty Images

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Baylor running back Lache Seastrunk (25) breaks away on a touchdown run against Kansas State defensive end Meshak Williams (42) and linebacker Arthur Brown (4) during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game, Nov. 17, 2012, in Waco.

Baylor running back Lache Seastrunk (25) breaks away on a touchdown run against Kansas State defensive end Meshak Williams (42) and linebacker Arthur Brown (4) during the third quarter of an NCAA college

Baylor running back Glasco Martin (8) celebrates after scoring the game-winning touchdown during overtime in an NCAA college football game against Texas Tech Nov. 24, 2012, in Arlington. Baylor won 52-45.

Baylor running back Glasco Martin (8) celebrates after scoring the game-winning touchdown during overtime in an NCAA college football game against Texas Tech Nov. 24, 2012, in Arlington. Baylor won 52-45.

Photo: LM Otero, Associated Press

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Baylor's ground game catches up to vaunted passing attack

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Baylor's passing attack has long been a scourge for Big 12 defensive coordinators.

Over the last four games, the emergence of the Bears' ground attack has given them something else to worry about.

Outside threat Lache Seastrunk and bullish 220-pounder Glasco Martin have provided running pop that has helped propel the Bears to bowl eligibility for an unprecedented third consecutive season.

Balance has been the key for the Bears heading into Saturday's regular-season finale against Oklahoma State. Baylor is one of four teams nationally to rank in the top 20 in rushing, passing, total offense and scoring. The others are OSU, Texas A&M and Louisiana Tech.

“It's opening everything up, and they can't key on the run,” Seastrunk said. “If they do that, we'll throw the ball down the field. It's why we've flourished is because of our balanced offense.”

When trying to combat the Bears, it's almost a case of picking your poison. Quarterback Nick Florence is en route to one of the top seasons in school history, leading the nation in total offense with 30 touchdown passes. Terrance Williams leads the nation in yards per reception and is a Biletnikoff Award finalist.

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But the offense really took off when Baylor's rushing game emerged over the last several games.

“Simply, it's been Lache Seastrunk,” Baylor guard Cameron Kaufhold said. “I don't know if he was the missing piece, but he definitely added another piece. And our receivers have always been home-run threats for us.”

Since being inserted into the starting lineup, Seastrunk has averaged 128.8 yards per game, with four touchdowns over the last four games.

Seastrunk's outside abilities have combined nicely with Martin's running between the tackles. Together, they have provided the Bears a unique combination that their teammates have dubbed “Thunder and Lightning.”

Martin has averaged 107 yards rushing a game over the last four games. The 220-pound converted high school wide receiver has a team-high 11 touchdowns on the ground, including a career-high three rushing scores against Kansas State.

“It's giving us a lot of confidence what we've been able to do recently,” Martin said. “We're just starting to find our identity. We are hitting our strides and gaining momentum. Hopefully, we can keep it up.”

Over the last four games, the Bears are averaging 292.8 rushing yards with 14 touchdowns and 293.3 passing yards with eight touchdowns.

The recent surge has included victories over then-No. 1 KSU and last week against Texas Tech.

One of the underrated keys has been the blocking of the offensive line. Four of the five starters were playing new positions at the start of the season.